'DUE DATE': Four Stars (Out of Five)

Sort of a modern variation on the John Hughes classic 'PLANES, TRAINS &AUTOMOBILES'. This one is directed by Todd Phillips (known fordirecting a few comedy classics of his own including 'ROAD TRIP', 'OLDSCHOOL' and 'THE HANGOVER') and written by Phillips, Alan R. Cohen,Alan Freedland and Adam Sztykiel. It stars Robert Downey Jr. and ZachGalifianakis (who Phillips gave his big break to in 'THE HANGOVER').The film also features two past Downey Jr. co-stars in supportingroles: Michelle Monaghan (who also starred as Robert's love interest in'KISS KISS BANG BANG') and Jamie Foxx (who recently took a dramaticturn next to Robert in 'THE SOLOIST').

In the film Downey plays Peter Highman an architect eager to get hometo Los Angeles in time for the birth of his first child in five days.Upon arrival at the airport he meets an odd unemployed actor namedEthan Tremblay (Galifianakis), Their bags are mistakenly exchanged andthen Tremblay is seated next to Highman on the plane. Due to some crazydestructive events, caused by Tremblay, he and Highman are kicked offthe flight and put on the 'no-fly' list. All of Highman's luggage aswell as his wallet are left on the plane so with no money or ID he'sforced to take a ride offered by Tremblay, who's rented a rental car.Good natured and well intentioned but still a Tasmanian force ofdestruction Tremblay turns Highman's trip home into a treacherousdisaster ride from Hell.

The movie is pretty much exactly what you'd expect and exactly what thepreviews sell it as. Phillips directing is top notch, the screenplay iswitty and Downey Jr. and Galifianakis are hilarious. Of course the mostimportant ingredient in a buddy comedy is the talent and chemistry ofthe two leading men (or women, or one of each) and in this case thatingredient is very strong and effective. They make the movie totallyworth watching; the way they play off and react to each other isperfect. The movie is touching and at times surprisingly dramatic butit's a little too over the top to take too serious for any length oftime. It's a screwball buddy comedy and a good one at that. Not asclassic as 'PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES', which seems like it could beendlessly compared to, but it's a good comedy film in it's own right(not nearly as classic as 'THE HANGOVER' either but they can't all befive star classics). Still a good buddy comedy film worth seeing.

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Because of the unexpected success of The Hangover (at the time ofwriting, the highest grossing R-rated comedy ever), people werereasonably excited about Todd Phillips's new project, road movie DueDate, which blends an established genre with the director's un-PCapproach and the acting talents of Robert Downy Jr. and ZachGalifianakis. And yet, the mixture isn't an entirely successful one.

Nothing wrong with the plot, however derivative it may be: due to anairport mishap, Peter Highman (Downey Jr.) is unable to take a plane toLos Angeles so that he can witness his wife (Michelle Monaghan) givebirth to their first child. The only option is to rent a car, but withhis wallet missing he has to accept to make the journey in the companyof Ethan Tremblay (Galifianakis), an aspiring actor with a few problemsin the social skills department - in fact, he's the reason Peter gotthrown off the plane in the first place.

If it all sounds a bit familiar (two mismatched "buddies" travelingtogether), it's because the movie is essentially a cruder re-thread ofPlanes, Trains and Automobiles. Problem is, John Hughes's charmingcomedy had a charismatic leading duo and a sharp script that onlyoccasionally - the "Those aren't pillows!" moment and Steve Martin'smemorably filthy rant at the car rental - relied on adult-orientedgags. Due Date, on the other hand, while having no major defects interms of casting (more on that later), suffers from a lacklusterscreenplay that makes up for its lack of substance with R-rated jokesgalore, most notably with a masturbation gag that invites unwelcomecomparisons with one of the most notorious scenes in The Hangover. Italso doesn't help that the film's crude spirit is let down by aschmaltzy climax, like most mainstream comedies today.

Which leaves us with the actors. Curiously enough, Galifianakis is theleast interesting of the lot, in no small measure because he'sessentially recycling his Hangover shtick (although the Two and a HalfMen joke is a good one, as is his Brando impression). Downey Jr. ismore fun to watch, if only because he gets to fully embrace his darkerside (you wouldn't see him picking a fight with a kid in the Iron Manmovies, would you?) and even make fun of his troublesome past (at onepoint he quips: "I've never done drugs in my life!"). Monaghan is,predictably, a bit useless, but cameos by Juliette Lewis, Danny McBrideand Jamie Foxx add plenty of chuckles along the way.

In the end, though, Due Date is arguably the weakest film Phillips hasmade in quite some time. In fact, for those craving a road movie withR-rated comedy moments, his earlier effort Road Trip is a betteroption.

6,5/10

I thought this was pretty good, but just don't go into it thinking itis another hangover, it is not. Due Date is more Planes, Trains &Automobiles without the trains. Robert Downey Jr, is as always gold inhis role of the ever frustrated executive trying to get home to hispregnant wife. She is due any minute, but his plans to go direct to herside turn awry when he meets up with the portly Ethan Tremblay (ZachGalifianakis). Under some crazy conditions they get thrown off a planeand get put on a no-fly list. The pair share a rental car and travelacross country to get to L.A. There are some wild moments, dangeroussituations and extreme rudeness. An appearance by Juliette Lewis asHeidi the drug demon is a welcome surprise. Overall this is a funnyfilm, serious tones are injected concerning the two guys friendship indevelopment. 8/10